Oil on spark plug

[adempster1]

I need to know what’s causing this. For the past week I’ve noticed that my 98ti when idled it would kind of jerk little, nothing major but noticeable to me since I know how she rides. I decided to check the plugs and when I took out the first plug, the one closest to the oil fill cap it was wet with oil. The plug looked ok other than being soaked with oil. I checked the others and no problem with them, dry and healthy look on them. I went out and got me some new NGK’s and changed them all. I will check this evening to se if the new plug is wet in oil. What may be the cause of this? Any advice would be appreciated.

[BAD745I]

Valve Cover Gasket

[FATHER]

+1

[dave45056]

There are gaskets under the valve cover that seal the spark plug holes. Items 6 and 7 on this picture.

First I would try tightening the screw on the center of the valve cover (goes thru the small hole on item 6)
If that does not work, there is an excellent DIY on replacing the whole valve cover gasket. I would do that if any of them were leaking like you described.
Here is the link:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12007

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by BAD745I

Valve Cover Gasket

No not the valve cover close but it's the O-Rings around the spark plugs.

[AutoM3otives]

get a new valve cover gasket, as well as the gasket rings that go on top of the spark plug holes.

might as well get new rubber grommets for the valve cover bolts, those are cheap.

[adempster1]

Thanks, I will get the parts and try to do it my self. Low in $$

[adempster1]

one last question, will I cause further damage if I keep driving it with a faul plug to long. I only need to get to work for 3 more days.

[FATHER]

Clean the spark plug with gasoline and put it again, maybe work for some weeks

[BAD745I]

Tyler, there are no O-rings around the Spark Plug holes, it is part of the gasket set. GO back to your ricer sites to provide insight on repairs.

Adem, you will damage the converter driving with a fouled plug. the extra fuel burns in the cat and destroyes it. DON'T do the gasket without the new grommets. they are a real pain to install on the bolts. A deepwell 15mm socket and a hammer is the best way to mash your fingers in the process

[adempster1]

Originally Posted by FATHER

Clean the spark plug with gasoline and put it again, maybe work for some weeks

Thanks

[adempster1]

Today I took of from work and decided on following some of the advice given. I took out the newly replaced plug where the fouled one came off from and to my surprise it was dry only some oil on the thread but very little. I cleaned it and tighten the crew that’s between plug 1&2 on the valve cover. I put everything back in place and took her for a hard run, 6 miles on I 95 at speeds between 60 and 80 then I drove some 8 miles around the city with many stop and go during rush hour. Finally got home and decided to recheck the problem plug and NOTHING!! It‘s DRY and appears normal and she Idled just fine the entire time I was testing her. I can’t figure out what truly was wrong. Now I have some time to put the money together and prepare for a Valve Cover gasket replacement. I would like to do the plugs, wires and gasket as soon as next month. She’s at 209K plus miles you know.

Thank you all for your time and advice. Saved me some $ and gave me time to save $ for the gasket replacement. Christmas took all my loot $ I have 4 kids you know

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by BAD745I

Tyler, there are no O-rings around the Spark Plug holes, it is part of the gasket set. GO back to your ricer sites to provide insight on repairs.

Listen Newbie i have replaced those twice,there is a valve cover gasket then there are 4 O-Rings(they might not be called that but any mechaninc knows what they are if you say o-rings in the valve cover),two seperate things. Maybee i pulled the 4 rubber gaskets out of my ass when i replaced them. Do some research before you correct somebody on something you have no clue about and look at the pic that was posted in the 4th post they are pictured right in there.

[mooseheadm5]

Girls, girls, you're both pretty!

BAD745I, you may be a mechanic, but you sure do come off as a bit of a jerk. I knew what he was talking about. He meant not the profile gasket, the spark plug tube gasket. How hard was that?

adempster, your 98 will throw a CEL very quickly when it detects misfires bad enough to damage the cat. Keep checking that plug hole for oil, though. The oil is bad for the plug wires.

-Paul

[adempster1]

Originally Posted by mooseheadm5

Girls, girls, you're both pretty!

BAD745I, you may be a mechanic, but you sure do come off as a bit of a jerk. I knew what he was talking about. He meant not the profile gasket, the spark plug tube gasket. How hard was that?

adempster, your 98 will throw a CEL very quickly when it detects misfires bad enough to damage the cat. Keep checking that plug hole for oil, though. The oil is bad for the plug wires.

-Paul

Thanks Paul, I plan on checking the plug every single day for the next several days just to make sure all is well. Once the new year is in I will sure replace the Valcover Gasket and all the seals mentioned. I will keep you all posted.
I plan on doing it my self, im no mechanic but I've changed the Starter, Alternator, Radiator, fuel filter and helped on replacing the cluth my self so I'm going to give it a shot. I plan on getting to sets of the gasket just in case I F up, if I don't I just take the extra one back.


Cheers
Allan